Highlights:
Spiritual
We had a wonderful Sacrament Meeting on Sunday, full of family and friends. Our program included songs by our Primary children that included bells, a lovely piano solo, our choir singing that included music by flute, cello, and saxophone, and words by our bishop. I sat in the choir and remembered words that Bishop Gunter said many years ago. Nathan had received some recognition and he had Nathan stop and look around at everyone there to support him as he stood on the stand. I loved how Bishop Gunter always did that. So I sat and looked. There was Judy Pulver on one side of me, Kim Meikle on the other, with Wendy Berghian and Jody Barton and Frieda Egan on and on down the row. Here were precious people who had been part of my life for many years and who I have cherished. I saw Brother Harvey spending his first Christmas without his Sharlene for the first time in many many years. I thought about how so much can happen in a year, and how different things would be in one year. The young women in the choir, some would be off to college. Some would be on missions. Some would marry. Others would move, or be alone. I sat and just took in the good that was in that moment! Such a blessed experience to think about how thankful I am for all these wonderful people and their influence in my life.
Dad attended sessions at the temple on Thursday and Friday.
I completed reading the January Ensign magazine by the Christmas tree on Christmas morning. Not much to do. I continue to read my Book of Mormon daily and listen to a General Conference talk each day.
I have indexed 22506 records and reviewed 72719 records so far this year.
Family
Dad attended sessions at the temple on Thursday and Friday.
I completed reading the January Ensign magazine by the Christmas tree on Christmas morning. Not much to do. I continue to read my Book of Mormon daily and listen to a General Conference talk each day.
I have indexed 22506 records and reviewed 72719 records so far this year.
Family
The Wilkins Family
We spoke with Allison via MarcoPolo on Sunday night. I got to see, hear, or speak to everyone. Adam did very well on his finals last week. Grace is doing well. Josh started physical therapy this week and is hoping that will help. Sam is missing his substitute Kindergarten teacher but is also glad his regular teacher is back. Christmas was wonderful for everyone in this family. Allison had saved money dedicated to Christmas a long time ago, so the kids were happy and well. Josh's new bike seems to have been a great blessing to his health, and when we saw him on Saturday, he was walking with little to no pain. Sam also got a new bicycle and was enjoying riding it. Grace received a new polaroid camera and shared many of the pictures she had taken already. Adam is doing great and has been a great help to the ward members as well as to his family. Mike is working hard and looking for more training to qualify him for a better position. They did discover that Mike lost his job due to deception, lies, and jealousy. They are making it through the sad choices of others and trusting Heavenly Father and the path He has for them. Go forward and don't look back. Mike also got their other car running, so they are a blessed two-car family now!
The Ethan Rice Family
Christmas was great for this family. Ethan's yard decorations were awarded first place again this year.
They enjoyed wonderful gifts and opened their gifts from us while we watched.
Later, they left for Great Wolf Lodge, where they celebrated Christmas (although there was nothing open to eat at, so their Christmas Dinner was at Waffle House) They enjoyed the water park, the slides, and had a great time. Happy Seventh Birthday, Kaylee, on Thursday! We spoke with them as they ate birthday cake (Cameo created an awesome unicorn birthday cake!).
They enjoyed wonderful gifts and opened their gifts from us while we watched.
Later, they left for Great Wolf Lodge, where they celebrated Christmas (although there was nothing open to eat at, so their Christmas Dinner was at Waffle House) They enjoyed the water park, the slides, and had a great time. Happy Seventh Birthday, Kaylee, on Thursday! We spoke with them as they ate birthday cake (Cameo created an awesome unicorn birthday cake!).
The Doran Rice Family
It was quite a week for Doran and Amber. Christmas was wonderful though Kooper started out with a fever that turned into pneumonia. The kids totally loved their Christmas gifts, including Kelsie's phone and Kooper's new dirt bike.
Morgan
Morgan didn't work this week due to Kyle's illness and the holidays. He was able to go fishing a lot with his brothers.
Kayty
Kayty worked Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. She was feeling awful on Christmas, so she stayed in bed, ate warmed up rice and cheese for dinner, and watched Harry Potter movies. She worked Thursday and Friday and drove us to Vegas on Saturday.
The Nathan Rice Family
Nathan, Jessica, Anna, Ellie and Emma had a wonderful week. Christmas Eve was spent with Jessica's family and I am sure it was wonderful with cousins having fun together. Christmas day was wonderful and there were two very special Ballerina Barbie dolls that each girl loved. Christmas was all cleaned up on Friday.
Dad's Garden
Dad got one bed ready and planted a few tomato plants. Of course, it was going to be 35 degrees Saturday night, so he might lose them but there are plenty more to replant. Tons of citrus has been picked and shared.
Other highlights
Christmas Eve
We packed up a plate of sugar cookies and ornaments and hit the road Tuesday morning. We had a nice visit with Nano and left her and her friends Dorothy and Zelda some cookies. I got mom two new tops and hung her ornament on her tree in her room.
We also stopped by Dad's friend, Cliff's apartment and left him some citrus and some wood for his fireplace. It was so quiet as we sat watching Andy Griffith Show reruns while it rained outside. Its funny how busy Christmas Eve used to be with Dad working from 6 am to noon, finishing up projects and getting ready to hurry off to Nano's house in Mesa. It was so hurried and after everything was done, we hurried home and rushed kids to get ready for bed, read Twas The Night Before Christmas, put out cookies and milk and then Dad would fall asleep in the chair and I would prepare for Santa's arrival while the Pope gave mass in Italian from the Vatican. Even when I was a kid, we would have a small dinner and either go to church all dressed up and then go to the airport very very late to wait for my Aunt Muriel Kew's plane to arrive from Los Angeles. The airport was packed with people and even carolers. It was so much fun. I am glad for the busy times to be over but have yet to arrive at a good plan to deliver gifts and stockings to everyone. Nathan is with Jessica's family all through Christmas Eve and we need to be at Grandma's Christmas Day. I have ideas for next year, but this year has shown me that too many plans too far ahead can be kicked to the curb in a moment. I do have ideas and will see what the year gives me. We had such a wonderful time at Doran and Amber's house! We opened gifts from them (they got dad an awesome T-shirt and holder uppers for his jeep rear door, and they got me a Pioneer Woman Instant pot! What fantastic surprises!
They all enjoyed their stockings, as did Morgan, and we played a few games before heading back home. Kayty was ill and sat home eating warmed up rice and watching reruns of Shark Tank. I cleaned up the kitchen and headed to bed. No before picture of the living room like I once did. It will remain there till I begin to put things away soon.
Christmas Morning I slept an extra 20 minutes, got up and did the exercises that didn't hurt my still achy from falling body, and then headed out on a long jog/walk. It was beautiful and some people did keep their lights on. No traffic out so it was just me. I came home, read my Book of Mormon, turned on vlogs, and checked email and indexed. Dad and I gave each other our few items before Ethan and Cameo called to Facetime and we so enjoyed watching them open all their gifts. Quiet for the rest of the day. I read the entire Ensign magazine by the lit Christmas tree. Prepped for grandmas with a salad with lots of topping choices and sugar cookies.
Nathan and Jessica gave us very nice toothbrushes. Got a new nativity from Dorrie. I really enjoyed visiting with Tom, Susan, and family. We came home and exchanged gifts with Kayty and got some nice socks and a wonderful sheepskin-lined fur hoodie cape that is just perfect.
Nathan and Jessica came over on Thursday afternoon to open their gifts.
Friday was clean up time for me and I spent nearly twelve hours taking down and putting away Christmas. By 8:30 pm, all of the family room, kitchen, entry, living room, and nativities were neatly wrapped and put away.
This delicious warm hooded blanket, socks and some Sees Nuts and Chews.
Saturday, Kayty took us to Vegas to share a few hours of love and Christmas with them. I hadn't actually seen and hugged the kids for so very, very long. It was heaven!
We arrived home nearly twelve hours after we left. Our legs were sore but our hearts are full!
Wonderful Christmas
We packed up a plate of sugar cookies and ornaments and hit the road Tuesday morning. We had a nice visit with Nano and left her and her friends Dorothy and Zelda some cookies. I got mom two new tops and hung her ornament on her tree in her room.
We also stopped by Dad's friend, Cliff's apartment and left him some citrus and some wood for his fireplace. It was so quiet as we sat watching Andy Griffith Show reruns while it rained outside. Its funny how busy Christmas Eve used to be with Dad working from 6 am to noon, finishing up projects and getting ready to hurry off to Nano's house in Mesa. It was so hurried and after everything was done, we hurried home and rushed kids to get ready for bed, read Twas The Night Before Christmas, put out cookies and milk and then Dad would fall asleep in the chair and I would prepare for Santa's arrival while the Pope gave mass in Italian from the Vatican. Even when I was a kid, we would have a small dinner and either go to church all dressed up and then go to the airport very very late to wait for my Aunt Muriel Kew's plane to arrive from Los Angeles. The airport was packed with people and even carolers. It was so much fun. I am glad for the busy times to be over but have yet to arrive at a good plan to deliver gifts and stockings to everyone. Nathan is with Jessica's family all through Christmas Eve and we need to be at Grandma's Christmas Day. I have ideas for next year, but this year has shown me that too many plans too far ahead can be kicked to the curb in a moment. I do have ideas and will see what the year gives me. We had such a wonderful time at Doran and Amber's house! We opened gifts from them (they got dad an awesome T-shirt and holder uppers for his jeep rear door, and they got me a Pioneer Woman Instant pot! What fantastic surprises!
They all enjoyed their stockings, as did Morgan, and we played a few games before heading back home. Kayty was ill and sat home eating warmed up rice and watching reruns of Shark Tank. I cleaned up the kitchen and headed to bed. No before picture of the living room like I once did. It will remain there till I begin to put things away soon.
Christmas Morning I slept an extra 20 minutes, got up and did the exercises that didn't hurt my still achy from falling body, and then headed out on a long jog/walk. It was beautiful and some people did keep their lights on. No traffic out so it was just me. I came home, read my Book of Mormon, turned on vlogs, and checked email and indexed. Dad and I gave each other our few items before Ethan and Cameo called to Facetime and we so enjoyed watching them open all their gifts. Quiet for the rest of the day. I read the entire Ensign magazine by the lit Christmas tree. Prepped for grandmas with a salad with lots of topping choices and sugar cookies.
Nathan and Jessica gave us very nice toothbrushes. Got a new nativity from Dorrie. I really enjoyed visiting with Tom, Susan, and family. We came home and exchanged gifts with Kayty and got some nice socks and a wonderful sheepskin-lined fur hoodie cape that is just perfect.
Nathan and Jessica came over on Thursday afternoon to open their gifts.
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| Dad got a new tie, root beer saltwater taffy, and some Habanero suckers. |
Saturday, Kayty took us to Vegas to share a few hours of love and Christmas with them. I hadn't actually seen and hugged the kids for so very, very long. It was heaven!
Wonderful Christmas
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